Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
Solar Energy Installation Managers
Solar Energy Installation Managers direct work crews installing residential or commercial solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.
Table of contents
What they do
Solar Energy Installation Managers direct work crews installing residential or commercial solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.
- Supervise solar installers, technicians, and subcontractors for solar installation projects to ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Estimate materials, equipment, and personnel needed for residential or commercial solar installation projects.
- Prepare solar installation project proposals, quotes, budgets, or schedules.
- Plan and coordinate installations of photovoltaic (PV) solar and solar thermal systems to ensure conformance to codes.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Solar Energy Installation Managers estimate materials, equipment, and personnel needed for residential or commercial solar installation projects. They supervise solar installers, technicians, and subcontractors for solar installation projects to ensure compliance with safety standards.
A typical day for a Solar Energy Installation Manager will also include:
- Provide technical assistance to installers, technicians, or other solar professionals in areas such as solar electric systems, solar thermal systems, electrical systems, or mechanical systems.
- Prepare solar installation project proposals, quotes, budgets, or schedules.
- Plan and coordinate installations of photovoltaic (PV) solar and solar thermal systems to ensure conformance to codes.
- Identify means to reduce costs, minimize risks, or increase the efficiency of solar installation projects.
- Monitor work of contractors and subcontractors to ensure projects conform to plans, specifications, schedules, or budgets.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Solar Energy Installation Managers also purchase or rent equipment for solar energy system installation. They may also coordinate or schedule building inspections for solar installation projects.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Solar Energy Installation Managers evaluate subcontractors or subcontractor bids for quality, cost, and reliability. They might also visit customer sites to determine solar system needs, requirements, or specifications.
In addition, they assess system performance or functionality at the system, subsystem, and component levels.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them plan and coordinate installations of photovoltaic (PV) solar and solar thermal systems to ensure conformance to codes.
To some Solar Energy Installation Managers, it is also their responsibility to perform start-up of systems for testing or customer implementation.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
63% said they were satisfied with their job and 56% said they found their job meaningful.
Key responsibilities Key responsibilities include making sure that the modules are installed in line with a method statement. The method statement typically includes all the information from the module manufacturer in terms of storage, handling, and fixing onto the mounting structures. As a supervisor, your responsibility is to ensure that the modules are installed correctly … Read More
A typical day at work for me involves meeting residential and commercial clients and creating quotes to suit their specific needs, or managing our existing projects. This means following up inquiries, creating proposals, checking in with staff on current projects, and delegating work as needed to keep sales and projects operating smoothly. Key responsibilities My … Read More
Pros
Suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.
Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.
This career is perfect for people who love to work outdoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Solar Energy Installation Managers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $43,570 to $54,270 per year or $21 to $26 per hour.
Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
---|---|---|
Highest (Top 10%) | $109,980 | $53 |
Senior (Top 25%) | $87,570 | $42 |
Median | $67,840 | $33 |
Junior (Bottom 25%) | $54,270 | $26 |
No experience (Bottom 10%) | $43,570 | $21 |
What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
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Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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